By the sound of the Oklahoma City Thunder's Durant, the front-runner for the NBA MVP, Thursday's rematch against reigning MVP LeBron James and his two-time defending champion Miami Heat is overhyped and unimportant. And by the way Thunder coach Scott Brooks talked about the expected return of his All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, who hasn't played since Christmas Day because of knee surgery, he may not play at all and perhaps spend his time ordering said ribs from the locker room to pass the time.

Nothing to see here, it seems. Except for everything.

Rare is the regular-season game with this much to offer, and rarer still that it comes at a time when real, substantive conclusions can begin to be drawn about title-contending teams and what their true potential might be. The Heat have their own questions that need answers. Can Dwyane Wade regain his health in time for a three-peat that would likely solve all their free agency problems this summer, and can James kick his latest MVP campaign into high gear down the stretch as he attempts to become one of four players in the history of the game to win at least five MVPs?

Above all else in the here and the now, though, there's this question: Will Durant and Westbrook coexist better than ever, or will they need some time to reassimilate and open the door to endless scrutiny if their best- record-in-the-league status (currently 43-12) disappears?

Since Westbrook's latest setback, the Thunder have gone 20-7, and Durant has averaged 35 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. If Westbrook plays Thursday night as so many expect he will - and as Durant said in a recent interview before claiming Wednesday that he may have spoke too soon - then the most fascinating and talented star pairing in the NBA will be back on center stage from here until the end.

True to form, Durant was a tad defensive when asked if his perspective about the way he and Westbrook best function together has changed in the past two months. He paused momentarily before offering an answer, shooting a look of mild irritation - disappointment, almost - which probably said more than his comments. Durant has always had that protective, big-brother sort of thing when it comes to Westbrook, and it's one of the many admirable traits that come with one of the most humble stars in all of professional sports.

He has always wrestled with this tricky Westbrook dynamic, the fact that so many compliments that come Durant's way are inherently insults to his running mate. Thus, he consistently downplays his own developments, it seems, for fear that he'll invite the pundits into their shared living room.

"I mean last year I was playmaking a lot," said Durant, who is averaging a career high 5.5 assists per game after setting a career-high with 4.6 per game last season. "I averaged one assist less (last season), but I was playmaking last year with Russ on the court. I had the ball while he was roaming around and vice versa. It's not rocket science, man.

"Me and Russ have been together for five or six years now, and he has missed (27) games. It's nothing to think about. We're just going to come in like nothing happened and play his game. I may not have to handle the ball like I did before but it's all about what can I do to help the team win. When Russ was out, I had to help Reggie (Jackson) handle the ball, help (Derek Fisher), but now he's back and he's the guy that can do it all, so you've got to give him the ball. He's going to find everybody. That's what I'm looking forward to, him helping me out along the way and doing my best to help the team out as well."

This isn't an attempted indictment of Westbrook's talents but an interesting case study in his and Durant's evolutions and what that means for them going forward. It's far too simplistic to whine about how this version of the Durant Show won't likely continue, especially since Westbrook puts on a performance of his own that is arguably the best among the league's uber-talented point guards.

"It's like trading for an All-Star," Durant said. "(It's) the trade deadline (Thursday), and this guy is coming in. We're looking forward to it, we're definitely excited for him to get back."

Nothing to see here. Except the best NBA action you could ask for in the middle of February.